illuminate

adjective il·lu·mi·nate \ i-ˈlü-mə-nət \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: illuminate in a Sentence

Definition of illuminate

1 archaic : brightened with light

2 archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened

Recent Examples of illuminate from the Web

The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges.

— richard fontaine, The Atlantic, "The Uses and Misuses of Historical Analogy for North Korea," 3 Oct. 2017
Throughout the film, interviews reveal the pervasive abuses committed against infants, children and teens as well as illuminate groups and people who are working to stop it.

— kimber myers, latimes.com, "Filmmaker-monk goes after sex trade in documentary 'Stopping Traffic'," 28 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of illuminate

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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illuminate

verb il·lu·mi·nate \ i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt \

Definition of illuminate

illuminated; illuminating

transitive verb

1 a : to enlighten spiritually or intellectually

b (1) : to supply or brighten with light

(2) : to make luminous or shining

c archaic : to set alight

d : to subject to radiation

2 a : to make clear : elucidate

b : to bring to the fore : highlight

a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are

3 : to make illustrious or resplendent

4 : to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures

—

illuminator

play \i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tər\ noun

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Examples of illuminate in a Sentence

the part of the moon illuminated by the sun
A university study has illuminated the problem.

Recent Examples of illuminate from the Web

The Grahams could easily improve their gloomy mood by investing in some hundred-watt light bulbs, but no: this is horror, and therefore the dinner table must be illuminated as dimly as a crypt.

— anthony lane, The New Yorker, "“Hereditary” Delivers a New Kind of Horror," 7 June 2018
Find that, illuminated RGB Corsair Vengeance memory for $45 off, and a whole lot more over at Amazon's huge one-day PC hardware sale.

— ian paul, PCWorld, "Amazon's huge one-day PC hardware sale has graphics cards you can actually afford, and more," 31 May 2018
The open-air loggia overlooked the dome of St. Peter’s, illuminated against a twilight sky.

— cullen murphy, Vanities, "Barbara Jatta, the First Woman to Head the Vatican Museums, Is Bringing Change to the Eternal City," 21 Mar. 2018
After the seventh inning stretch, those with the guitars will be asked to remain standing and illuminate them for a special remembrance, the Twins said.

— ted berg, For The Win, "The Minnesota Twins will sell incredible Prince caps and host their second Prince Night," 28 Feb. 2018
Despite constant assurances that campus bias is a figment of the right-wing imagination, nothing better illuminates where things stand than the awkward efforts of big-hearted college presidents to connect with their resident ideological aliens.

— grant addison, National Review, "When College Presidents Mistake Lib-splaining for Conservative Outreach," 6 Feb. 2018
The case has illuminated Miami’s central role as an international gold-trading hub, with the majority of the precious metal imported into the United States through Miami International Airport by NTR Metals and other dealers in South Florida.

— jay weaver, miamiherald, "2 gold dealers who led massive money-laundering scheme sentenced to prison | Miami Herald," 19 Jan. 2018
Iris scanning involves digitally mapping out the intricate and uniquely woven designs of people’s irises by illuminating them with near-infrared light.

— david muller, Car and Driver, "Gentex Wants to Bring Iris Scanning to Your Car," 12 Jan. 2018
Photographer: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images Kuala Lumpur Fireworks illuminate the sky near Malaysia's Petronas Twin Towers.

— alex millson, Bloomberg.com, "World’s Cities Have a Blast With Spectacular New Year Fireworks," 31 Dec. 2017

Origin and Etymology of illuminate

Middle English, from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare, from in- + luminare to light up, from lumin-, lumen light — more at luminary

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year